Anjan Dutt to present Aro Ekta Lear on stage, calls it his last theatre production

Anjan Dutt has impressed his fans with his immortal songs like Ranjana, Bela Bose, and several others. Along with his songs, he also casts a magical spell with his acting and film directorial works like Bong Connection, Madly Bangalee, or more recently, Chalchitra Ekhon. He is also an accomplished theater actor and director. Bengali people could not forget Galileo. But Anjan Dutt sent a message about his last play. He shared a poster on Facebook and wrote that it was his drama. 

Anjan Dutt’s film Chalchitra Ekhon was released a few months back on Hoichoi. He paid tribute to the legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen through this film. The film was well-received by the audience and the critics. But this time, Anjan tagged his new drama as his last work in theater. He also shared the poster of his play ‘Aro Ekta Lear’. 

Previously, Anjan Dutt announced in June that he would stage King Lear. He wrote on Facebook, “You are all over the world. It is not possible to come to Kolkata and watch my theater. Mrinal Da wanted me to continue with theater. Hence no more films this year…theater…Shakespeare’s King Lear…Coming to the theater at 71 years of age is fun. Shakespeare comes for the first time in my life, King Lear.’ 

During the release of Chalchitra Ekhon, Anjan Dutt gave an interview to Sangbad Pratidin where he said, “I had forty-two years of friendship with Mrinal Sen. It was more than a friendship. It was a heartfelt relationship of friendship, fight, and love. Since the first day, my political ideology has been different from his. Till the last day, my phone number along with that of the doctor and Kunal was written on his wall–even if the others miss, Anjan will come at the call. I used to invite Mrinal da if it was my film. You will see, I am there in each of my films. I am there in my songs also. My attraction to Anglo-Indian life, my love for Darjeeling, my cosmopolitan Kolkata, my family–everything came to my films. But my relationship with Mrinal Sen did not. When Satyajit Ray’s birth centenary was celebrated, Anik made Aparajito. I faced the issue at that time. Why didn't I do it? I felt bad because I did not pay my dues. Then I found the story. Once I told Mrinal Sen, “I will make a documentary on you”. I used to sing at that time. I thought about making it with the money I earned. He replied “Do it. But do it from your points, from the personal relationship that you and I share.” When I first thought about it, I stayed awake for a night and got the story. But he would be elated if I could make it at that time. Today, I am earning in Kolkata and it would not be possible without Mrinal Sen. I hated Kolkata once. I would also be an NRI like my audience or my listeners. But I started missing Kolkata even before I left the city. That was because of Mrinal Sen. It took time for me to find the story because a subject needs to be seen from afar. Until now, I could not see Mrinal Sen from a distance. Now I can. A funny, irresponsible, bohemian, strangely naughty character. I saw him critically. Hence I could make the film honestly. I kept what happened during the making of Chalchitra. If I made it earlier, perhaps I would tend to worship him. I did not do that.’